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#RoadTripStories
#AmericaByTwoLane
I've a bit of a story to tell, about patriotism, Americans and being a vet.
Dive in if you feel the urge.
1/
#AmericaByTwoLane
I've a bit of a story to tell, about patriotism, Americans and being a vet.
Dive in if you feel the urge.
1/
So I wear one of those black vet's hats. It's got some earned badges as pins on it, and a 101st pin.
It might be considered "bling," in a miltary sense.
Anyway, folks see it and thank me sometimes; always an uncomfortable encounter for me for I was just a kid back then.
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It might be considered "bling," in a miltary sense.
Anyway, folks see it and thank me sometimes; always an uncomfortable encounter for me for I was just a kid back then.
2/
I figure because I live in a fairly rural area there's prolly more "thank you for your service" remarks because military service typically hits small towns harder. A town of 1000 losing ten or twelve working age adults is a big deal.
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3/
Anyway, sometimes I'll be thanked (it's almost ALWAYSfrom a man btw) with a quick approach, a clap on the shoulder and an outstretched hand.
A little bit in my space, but I AM wearing the hat so it's not like I'm hiding.
It's casual.
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A little bit in my space, but I AM wearing the hat so it's not like I'm hiding.
It's casual.
4/
Well the guys that approach me like that are usually what I would call "expressive in their style." Which to me means they're comfortable saying who they are by how they look, in the rural case it's usually some sort of 2nd amendment tee or "Don't Tread on Me."
5/
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You get the picture. Insert stereotype here I guess.
A few weeks ago I'm in a target in Portland, OR. It's a very blue urban area, and I got the hat on because I could give a shit about brushing my hair, it's buzzed next week anyway.
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A few weeks ago I'm in a target in Portland, OR. It's a very blue urban area, and I got the hat on because I could give a shit about brushing my hair, it's buzzed next week anyway.
6/
I'm through shopping, going by the elec. dept. on the way out. As I go by, I see what I would term an "expressive in her style" short haired woman, possibly gay.
(No platitudes about assumptions please, we all must make snap assessments then readjust. That's life.)
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(No platitudes about assumptions please, we all must make snap assessments then readjust. That's life.)
7/
Anywho, I notice she has that look of wanting to say something to me about being a vet. Same look I get from the rural dudes.
She approaches me, gives me the full on shoulder clap and handshake, thanks me genuinely, a very positive experience.
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She approaches me, gives me the full on shoulder clap and handshake, thanks me genuinely, a very positive experience.
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After thanking her, I'm walking away wondering if I could get her and that last rural guy that had the same enthusiasm together over beers, the three of us talking.
Over shared values, like sacrifice, and the love of freedom, no matter the truth of war.
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Over shared values, like sacrifice, and the love of freedom, no matter the truth of war.
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Because really, these two people who live in the same nation but different worlds probably have far more in common than they do different.
And I fucking BELIEVE that.
Because I witnessed the evidence myself that day.
It takes a LOT for some folks to approach a stranger.
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And I fucking BELIEVE that.
Because I witnessed the evidence myself that day.
It takes a LOT for some folks to approach a stranger.
10/
Soon I'm going to try my very best to share some of the experiences I had on the road recently; a 21 day, 14 state (or so) road trip.
No interstates.
AMERICA.
But that one couldn't wait.
We need to always remember: we have more in common than we think.
We really do.
<fin>
No interstates.
AMERICA.
But that one couldn't wait.
We need to always remember: we have more in common than we think.
We really do.
<fin>
